When it comes to making decisions at the crossroads of our lives, we sometimes have a complicated rubric that we employ to decide what “should” be done, “could” be done, “may” be done, and so forth. As the household of faith, we certainly should have the highest strain and filter with what the word of God says about the matter. However, even in the word of God, we are given good instruction on how to deal with the things that are not absolute and paramount: we generally call these non-essentials (Romans 14). However, the way each of us deals with the “could” and “may” be done things in our lives varies. Some approach non-essentials one way, while others of us approaches them another way. The problems enter in when we treat non-essentials like essentials and vice versa: majoring in the minors and minoring in the majors.
Touchpoints: Certain verses in Scripture act as touchpoints for broad subjects. An example is I Corinthians 14:40. Knowing whether or not to conduct something a certain way in the house of God should be strained by 2 big principles: decency and order. If the activity fails either of those tests, then this verse summarily dismisses it as a valid and proper activity. Another great broad touchpoint is Romans 12:1-2. How do we worship and what should it look like? These verses tell us generally that worship is done in person, sacrificially, and doesn’t look anything like the world. Again, if something fails those three tests, it can be dismissed. Doctrine is the same way, as grace verses all through Scripture show the nature of doctrine’s foundation. In Romans 11:6, Paul makes it clear that for grace to be espoused correctly, grace and works can’t be mixed. Anything that attempts to do so fails this big touchpoint. These areas show us what is major and how to conduct it in a major way.
Silence: One of the big areas of difference between the church and progressive spirits and attitudes is the church’s viewpoint on the “silence of Scripture.” For example, the Bible doesn’t list out all the dos and don’ts of church activity. While our previous section described a good touchpoint for church behavior (decency and order), there are whole host of activities that are fine for a home but not for church. The way we dress, act, and behave in the intimate environs of our own homes is different than the way we should act in God’s house. Paul addressed behaviors of the church at Corinth and told them to do their eating and drinking at home and not turn the Lord’s communion into a drunken feast (I Corinthians 11). Since there are behaviors not specifically outlining all church activities, how do we approach the Bible’s silence on a matter? It should be viewed as a prohibition not an invitation. Rather than spend a lot of ink in His book telling us all the things not to do, the Lord spent the ink showing primarily how things are rather than how they are not. The negative is used to set a contrast to the truth. As Paul told Titus, we should “affirm” these concepts continually. (Titus 3:8)
Personalities: Looking at church history, many – if not most – of the battles that should never should have happened boiled down to a single fine point: personalities that couldn’t get along. When the Lord calls us out of nature’s darkness into His marvelous light, He didn’t at the same time assassinate our personalities. You are still you, and I am still me. Some personalities jive well, and some don’t. However, the main thing in the house of God – and in our lives in general – is how one personality views things. Jesus went all the way for people that were His enemies. (Romans 5:5) Rather than looking at what we are and what we thought of Him, He loved us and showed it by sacrificing His all for our benefit and salvation. The way that translates is that I should be able to look over and past a lot of things personality-wise for the love that our mutual Lord has brought unto us by His free and unmerited grace. Personality is a minor, but many times we treat it like a major.
Many wars have been fought because people made a minor point a major point. Likewise, many wars have been skirted because people treated a major point like a minor point. Recent church history bears this out that a lot of factionalism conflicts in the middle portion of the 20th century scarred people’s mindset on strife and conflict. They never wanted to see anything like that again. The factionalism that plagued many portions of our people in great degree should not have occurred as there was a lot of personality strife at play. However, when doctrinal issues arise and principles of order are infringed, that ground should be defended and defended honorably. Doctrine, practice, and order: major. Personality, preference, and taste: minor. May our own preferences be left with ourselves, but may the common salvation and mutual faith be contended for with every fiber of our being. As an old pillar of Bethel said many years ago, “On matters of peace, I am for peace. But if peace cannot be had, then I am for war.”